Question

Write a brief note on cyst formation in protists.

Answer 1

Protists are a group made up of protozoa, unicellular algae, and slime molds. A cyst is the dormant form of the protist. It is an infectious form of protists. It has a resistant cell wall, highly condensed cytoplasm and low metabolic activity. The cell wall protects the cell from adverse environmental conditions like desiccation, chemicals, low water levels. The low metabolic activity helps the protist to sustain adverse conditions by requiring less amount of energy. When favourable condition returns, excystation takes place releasing more than one organism.